The art of finding the right training shoes
Written by elite runner Anna Holm
Avoid injuries with variation?
I'm a bit of a creature of habit when it comes to running shoes – and I'm probably not alone in that. When you find a shoe that's both comfortable and reduces the risk of injury, you tend to return to the same brand and model.
For many years, the New Balance 1260 was my favorite shoe. I have a bit of a ball-and-socket foot and my arch sinks in (functionally flat-footed), so I needed a supportive shoe. The pronation shoe from my sponsor at the time was the perfect match. I actually liked the 1260 so much that it was the only shoe I ran in.
It didn't go unnoticed. My training partner Kent Nørmark noticed that I wore the same mud-stained shoe for every training session. One day I received a friendly reminder: It's not wise to run in the same shoe all the time.
As an employee at Marathon Sport, Kent explained to me that I should run in several different shoes – among other things to reduce the risk of injuries.
I thought my supportive overpronation shoe was protecting me from injury. So that was an eye-opener! Luckily, I listen to experts when they give well-meaning advice. So I accepted Kent's offer to come on the treadmill at Marathon Sport to try out different shoes.
That's how I became good friends with the New Balance 860 , which remains one of my favorite shoes to this day, now that the 1260 has been discontinued. Kent also taught me that it can be beneficial to have two pairs of the same model – the wear pattern varies slightly, and the foam in the shoes has time to "rise" between workouts.
"One day I got a friendly reminder: It's not wise to run in the same shoe all the time."
- Anna Holm, athlete and elite runner
When did your running shoes expire?
My mud-stained running shoes had also given Kent another suspicion: I was running in the same pair for too long.
When Kent asked, "How long will you run in your shoes?" I replied, "Until I see the soles are worn out or when my knees hurt."
That answer did not go down well.
Judging the lifespan of a shoe based on wear on the sole or expected damage is not the answer. A running shoe has a fixed number of kilometers it can last, regardless of how it looks.
To my surprise, it's not many kilometers. A regular running shoe lasts 800-1000 km, while lighter models only last about 200-600 km. So if you run 120 km a week in the same shoe, it should be replaced after about two months.
If you, dear reader, are also a creature of habit, I encourage you to try out several different running shoes. Don't just look for the one perfect training shoe – but the ideal shoes.
Although it may seem more expensive to buy three pairs of shoes at once, they will last longer overall when you switch between them than if you wear out one pair at a time.
My training shoes
When Marathon Sport became my sponsor, I had the opportunity to try out many shoes on the treadmill in the store. After many test runs and video analysis, we found two perfect training shoes:
-
![Et sidebillede af en grå og lilla New Balance-atletiksko med hvid sål og N-logo, med meshstof og Fresh Foam-branding på mellemsålen.]()
The New Balance 860
Find the 860- my good old friend. I use this shoe for my regular training runs and the longest run of the week on Sundays.
-
![En lyseblå atletisk løbesko med en hvid sål, sort Asics-logo og en lyserød gradient på mellemsålen nær tåen. Skoen har hvide snørebånd og et sort "FF Turbo+"-mærke på siden.]()
Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris
Find Metaspeed- is my fast training shoe, which I use for interval training and tempo runs.
Who is Anna Holm?
If you follow the world of sports even a little, you probably have no doubt who Anna Holm is. As an athlete and elite runner, she has achieved impressive results in long-distance running, and her passion for training and health is a great inspiration to many.
Her personal record for the marathon was set in Frankfurt in 2017 (2:33.02). In addition, in 2024 she became the fastest Danish woman at the marathon distance.
At Marathon Sport we are incredibly honored to have Anna Holm as our sponsored runner. She is not only a fantastic runner, but also a warm-hearted person who is happy to share her knowledge and experiences.
Source: Berlingske Tidende
Five good tips
When choosing the right running shoes:
- Kent from Marathon Sports
- Try the shoes on a treadmill to see if they suit your running style.
- Vary your shoes – switch between several different pairs to reduce injuries.
- Keep track of the mileage of your shoes – a standard pair of shoes lasts 800-1000 km.
- Choose shoes that match your needs for support, softness, and fit.
- Remember that old shoes lose their cushioning, even if they look nice.